Before starting, ensure your hands are thoroughly washed with soap and water, and your fingernails are trimmed short to prevent scratching the baby’s delicate skin.
In about 6-20% of babies, that duct has a thin, residual membrane at the bottom (near the nose) that hasn’t opened yet. This is called —or, simply, a clogged tear duct.
This is not an infection. It’s an anatomical quirk. Your baby isn’t in pain, and it won’t hurt their vision. clogged tear duct newborn massage
While most cases resolve on their own by 6 to 12 months, —also known as the Crigler technique—is a highly effective at-home treatment that can help "pop" open the duct and clear trapped fluid. How to Perform a Newborn Tear Duct Massage
: Frequent wiping can irritate the skin. You may apply a small amount of soft white paraffin or Vaseline as a barrier to protect the skin around the eye, but avoid getting it inside the eye itself. When to Call the Doctor Before starting, ensure your hands are thoroughly washed
It is common for newborns to experience "sticky eyes," often caused by a (nasolacrimal duct obstruction). This occurs in about 10% of infants because the drainage system for tears is not fully open at birth.
Parents often worry about conjunctivitis, but a clogged duct has a distinct profile: This is not an infection
The good news is that in most cases, the blockage clears up on its own within the first year of life. However, your pediatrician may recommend a gentle massage technique to help open the duct and keep the eye clean.